Wednesday, March 7, 2001

Author of Nappy Hair to Speak on the Contexts of Women's Beauty

Chestertown, MD, March 7, 2001 — Carolivia Herron, author of the award-winning children's book Nappy Hair(Knopf 1997), will speak on "Nappy Hair and the Contexts of Women's Beauty" on Wednesday, March 21, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. in Washington College's Norman James Theatre.

Dr. Herron is a scholar in the field of classical epic and African-American literature and an Assistant Professor of English at California State University, Chico. Nappy Hair is an award-winning, vibrantly illustrated children's book that uses the African-American call-and-response tradition, as a family talks back and forth about the main character, Brenda's, hair. The family delights in poking gentle fun with their hilarious descriptions, all the time discovering the beauty and meaning of Brenda's hair. The book encourages the recognition and celebration of beauty in racial diversity and the diversity of beauty.

The talk is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Black Culture, the Sophie Kerr Committee, the Diversity Planning Task Force, the International House, the Black Student Union and Cleopatra's Daughters. The public is invited to attend.